Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez Likely Witnesses In Paparazzo’s Alleged Assault Trial

Justin Bieber’s legal cases continue with news that he and ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez are likely to be called as witnesses by a paparazzo’s lawyer in a civil assault and battery case alleging Bieber kicked and punched the photog in 2012.

According to a lawsuit filed back in June 2013 in Los Angeles Superior Court, Jose Osmin Hernandez Duran alleges he tried to photograph Bieber and Gomez while they were on a movie date at The Commons shopping center in Calabasas on May 27, 2012.

Duran’s lawyers alleged in court papers that Bieber “was enraged that [Duran] and other paparazzi had been photographing Bieber and… Gomez as they walked out of the mall and then as Bieber struggled to pull his huge van out of the crowded mall parking lot.”

The documents contend Bieber “jumped and kicked plaintiff in the chest, punched him in the jaw and shoved him up against a parked car.”

As TMZ previously reported, Duran claims Bieber jumped into the air from six to eight feet away to deliver the kick before punching him in the face.

Pics published last year show Duran and Bieber standing inches from one another during the parking lot confrontation.

The photog wants damages for “severe and extreme emotional distress” and negligence.

The Santa Monica Mirror reports Duran’s attorneys are “tentatively” considering calling on Bieber’s former bodyguard, Moshe Benabou, to testify.

The ex-security guard previously accused the singer of attacking him backstage at a show in October 2012, later suing the 18-year-old star. The case was settled out of court earlier this year.

The outlet notes a hearing on pretrial motions is scheduled for Wednesday.

A trial is set for December 26.

Back in March, it was reported Gomez has been subpoenaed to a deposition to testify to what she may or may not have seen of the alleged incident.

In July it was reported the actress-singer attended a deposition at an undisclosed location but added virtually nothing to the investigation.

After the alleged May 27, 2012 incident, Duran called 911 and later complained of pain to his chest. He was taken to a local hospital, treated, and released, authorities said.

Following an investigation into the alleged incident, L.A. County prosecutors declined to press charges against Bieber.

In a November 2012 statement, prosecutors cited a lack of evidence supporting claims of an assault by Duran, based on testimony by EMTs and police officers who attended at the scene and the hospital the paparazzo was taken to.

However, it seems a possibly awkward run-in between Bieber and Gomez is on the cards if the trial does end up beginning on December 26.